The Perfume Library

Red / Costes

7.4

Hôtel Costes · 2004

Fresh · Floral · Green

Hôtel Costes Red / Costes is a fresh, green and woody unisex scent that sits most comfortably in autumn and spring, for work and everyday wear. Its longevity and sillage are moderate, so it stays close rather than filling a room. Most voters pick autumn and spring, and business, daily and leisure wear lead the occasions. Votes split almost evenly between masculine and feminine, so it reads as in between. Juniper, lavender and coriander seed give it a clean, green start, with white pepper adding spice. Rosewood and laurel build the dry, woody side, while frankincense and musk leave a soft, faintly smoky base.

Black / Costes 2

8.4

Hôtel Costes · 2009

Floral · Sweet · Spicy

Hôtel Costes Black / Costes 2 is a unisex scent that pairs the warmth of cinnamon and benzoin with the floral sweetness of rose absolute and orange blossom. The notes read as a single whole rather than a top, heart and base. Cinnamon and benzoin give it a spicy, oriental sweetness, rose absolute, orange blossom and geranium carry the floral side, and gaiac wood lays a woody floor underneath. Floral and sweet accords lead, with a powdery, creamy softness alongside. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate, so it stays on the skin without filling a room. Most voters pick it for evenings, followed by leisure, nights out and the office. It can be worn by men and women alike. Louis Vuitton Fleur du Désert and Armani Privé Rouge Malachite have a close profile.